StartupGrind

Startup Grind is a global startup community designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. It is powered by Google for Entrepreneurs. We host monthly events in 250 cities and 100 countries featuring successful local founders, innovators, educators and investors who share personal stories and lessons learned on the road to building great companies.

Startup Grind is a connected online and offline network of vibrant startup communities to help fuel innovation, economic growth and prosperity at the local level. While Startup Grind was founded in Palo Alto, California, our extended network of Startup Grind chapters are located around the world. Start a Chapter in your city or school!

Our Values

We believe in making friends, not contacts. We believe in giving, not taking. We believe in helping others before helping yourself. We are truly passionate about helping founders, entrepreneurs and startups succeed. We intend to make their startup journey less lonely, more connected and more memorable.

Speakers

Chris Saad

Uber

Head of Product, Uber Developer Platform

Jan Smejkal

Startup Grind

China & APAC Community Director

Chris Saad

Uber

Chris Saad is a product and startup builder with over 18 years of entrepreneurial experience. Currently, he builds a team and suite of products to enable developers to innovate with, on and around Uber.

Architecting extensible platforms and their developer ecosystems. Designed and built a platform from zero to 85 Billion API calls a month.

Big brand/media sales, strategy and support

Building, selling and supporting products into large brands and media companies (Worked with central product and IT groups at CNN, Univision, NASDQ, Disney, UMG, NBCU, Coke, Fanta, AT&T and more).

Social media strategy

Techniques for participating in, influencing and leveraging social media to grow new markets, influence thought leaders and drive industry conversations.

Fundraising

Raising capital in Silicon Valley

Jan Smejkal

Startup Grind

Jan Smejkal is currently based in Shenzhen (China) and as the Startup Grind China & APAC Community Director he works with some of the brightest and most passionate tech ecosystem builders in the world to expand the #1 international entrepreneur community (Startup Grind) in China, Asia Pacific and beyond.

Previously, he helped launch a venture for Rocket Internet (in 2 markets), built an online business during my last year of BA and found a passion in connecting and educating people in the startup world.

Brought to you by

Shenzhen Director

At the crossroads of media and tech. Observer of change in China and the U.S. Cares about improving health and food literacy in developing countries. Former bilingual tech reporter in Chicago. Passionate about bringing great people together and making something happen.

Shenzhen Co-Director

Jan is originally from the Czech Republic but currently lives in Shenzhen (China). He builds an awesome startup community in China, APAC and beyond on behalf of Startup Grind. Prior, he helped launch a venture for Rocket Internet (in 2 markets), built an online business during my last year of BA and found a passion in connecting and educating people in the startup world. He is also an author of China Biz-Tech Weekly newsletter (medium.com/china-biz-tech-weekly). Learn more about him and his activities on his personal website (jsmejkal.com).